Understanding how claudin-2 affects calcium levels and kidney stones
Official title: Role of claudin-2 in Calcium Homeostasis and Kidney Stone Disease
Funded at University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-10690746 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a protein called claudin-2 affects calcium levels in the body and could help us find new treatments for people who get kidney stones, especially those with high calcium in their urine.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $310,766 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK115727-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10690746 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with a history of kidney stones or those diagnosed with idiopathic hypercalciuria.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have kidney stones or related calcium absorption issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of claudin-2, a protein that helps regulate calcium absorption in the kidneys and intestines, in the development of kidney stones. By studying mice with altered claudin-2 levels, the researchers aim to understand how this protein influences calcium reabsorption and secretion. The findings could lead to new therapies for individuals suffering from kidney stones, particularly those with idiopathic hypercalciuria, a condition characterized by high calcium levels in urine. The research employs advanced techniques such as tubule micropuncture and genetic analysis to explore these mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to novel treatments for kidney stone disease, improving the quality of life for affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding calcium regulation and its link to kidney stones, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Alan S — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Yu, Alan S
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Uromodulin and peptides as new targets in kidney stone biology
This NIH grant explores how a urine protein called uromodulin and its peptide pieces influence calcium oxalate kidney stones, using dogs and human biology to understand why stones form and how to prevent them.
-
Oxalate‑eating probiotic to help prevent kidney stones
A new probiotic strain is being developed to help prevent calcium oxalate kidney stones by breaking down oxalic acid in the gut.
-
Oxalate and your immune system in kidney stones
This grant looks at how oxalate in our diet affects kidney stone risk and our immune cells, especially in adults with calcium oxalate stones.
-
How the kidney channel claudin‑2 affects calcium balance and calcium kidney stones
This project looks at how a kidney channel called claudin‑2 helps keep calcium from building up and forming calcium kidney stones.
-
Oxalate balance in people with calcium oxalate kidney stones
This project will find out why some adults make or absorb extra oxalate that increases the chance of calcium oxalate kidney stones.
-
A Probiotic to Prevent Kidney Stones
This project is developing a new probiotic to help people prevent kidney stones by breaking down a key substance called oxalic acid.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.